Final few more Random thoughts from our visit March 12-14th...

[Hug the Mouse]

Just wrapped our first visit in 3 years to US/IOA, staying at Royal Pacific...great time as always...random thoughts in no particular order...our 4th time visiting over the past 9 years and have never seen the parks busier...not sure what they put in the Butterbeer, but it sure makes me pee often...on-site express is worth every penny of extra lodging costs...why do people waste their time carrying bags that constant have to be lockered...Dudley Do-right 100 minute regular line/30 minutes Express wait in the afternoon on 14th...where do they find all the stilt walkers for the Mardi Gras parade...Love, love, love The Simpsons ride...AAA/CAA 10% discount quickly pays for itself...waiting in line at Olivanders when lady, along with family of 4, clutching map asks me what the line is for and where is the "big ride"--plan people, plan...can't beat sitting on the porch of indecision, watching the sun go down while eating a cheeseburger in paradise and drinking a Landshark...I'm officially a MIB nerd having ditched my family for an hour so I could be a single rider...these boards are invaluable for making a trip the best it can be---saw so many people freaking out/argueing over where/when/what to do---if only they spent time on these boards...Disaster makes me laugh---though the whole time Walken is present I kept hoping they'd throw in some more cowbell ...Foreigner sounded pretty good considering not original lead singer---the crowd seemed huge...a family in front of me dropped almost $300 at the gift shoppe at the exit of FJ--wonder what the daily take is for HP merchandise and how many cups of Butterbeer they sell daily...just drying out from 2 trips on Popeye & Bluto, a true water ride...Our first FJ ride left us stopped for a couple minutes near the end---after unloading, they quickly shuffled us through a door and back to ride again, this time with no glitches...I've never seen so many people losing their lunches after Spiderman before...567,000 personal high score for MIB...perfect weather, upper 70's, no rain...3 days are not enough, need a couple more...Best counter service food--Louies...worst counter service food--Three Broomsticks...the Marvel superheroes are great---they take the time to talk to kids before photos are snapped, not rushing to the next patron...just outside Disaster, next to the pearl stand is a great place to wath the Mardi Gras parade---the young ladies at the stand are hilarious oohing and ahhing over the male stilt walkers...Spiderman is still tops for me at IOA...battery is running low, more thoughts when I'm charged...

...wish I'd bought more of the chocolate mint toads--they vanished quickly...Olivanders show was cute---a young girl decked out in her HP robe was chosen for the ceremony and both she, and her family were thrilled...Captain Bobby on the Water Taxi is quite a character...another trip that I've missed out on Mythos---must make it a priority next time...$15 for a beer and Virgin Pina Colada at RPH poolside---YIKES!...strange ride experience---somehow was lined up in Simpsons with an Hispanic family of 7---I'm laughing like a fool at the pre-show while they are stone faced...at what point after winning a giant stuffed Pink Panther/Minion/Dog etc. does a person regret having to lug the thing around all day...if you aren't an on-site guest, or don't want to purchase an express pass, the single rider line should be your best friend...dance teams everywhere---funny coming into the station at Hulk and seeing a team doing a pre-ride dance on deck...ended up walking to parks most often as we were at the end of Tower 1, on lobby level (3rd) and it was only a 7-8 minute walk from that point...went out of my way to avoid any FJ spoilers and glad I did not ruin the surprise...panchos on water rides are for wimps...just as addicting as slots machines--.25 water cannons...have to say it again, if you don't have a AAA card, get one for US/IOA trip---my savings for hotel/food/merchandise---over $100...my babies have grown up---they were too tall to ride Pteranodon Flyers...is it too early to start planning our next trip???

 

[Metro West]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[mdsd8700]

Loved your random thoughts We aren't going until June when the crowds and heat kick in So reading these boards is going to help me plan our attack! Thanks for the report.

 

[disnewbie108]

the whole time Walken is present I kept hoping they'd throw in some more cowbell

Love it!

 

[tink20]

One question, why did you not like 3 Broomsticks? We are going for our first trip, and was planning on eating lunch here one day. TIA

 

[czycropper]

Great post!!!! I love all your thoughts and I can't wait to go back in 5 weeks & counting.........

 

[Bradsdadg]

Interesting thoughts, thanks for sharing!

 

[Planogirl]

I was wondering what you had at Three Broomsticks too. We liked it and I can't imagine anywhere worse than Mel's!

Also, you said that people were getting sick after Spiderman? That surprises me.

 

[Coach81]

thanks for your input.. we're a few months out here... can't wait!

 

[glocon]

Spiderman makes me a liitle sick too. But we had breakfast at 3B and we really enjoyed it. The food was good for counter service, but the experience of 3B was AWSOME! It looks just like in the movies, if you look up you will see shadows of characters and owls. One side has the Hogshead Pub with an interactive hog's head. We really enjoyed it and would definitely make it a part of our visit every time we're there.

 

[Hug the Mouse]

I was wondering what you had at Three Broomsticks too. We liked it and I can't imagine anywhere worse than Mel's!

Also, you said that people were getting sick after Spiderman? That surprises me.

DW and DD had Smoked Chicken Salad, I had Rotiserrie Chicken, and DS's had Chicken Fingers. It wasn't terrible, just not a hearty meal. We went there for dinner, perhaps it would serve better as a lunch option. The kids insisted we visit, and we had to oblige them. The service was efficient, and staff did a good job keeping tables clear. Everyone should check it out for the atmosphere, but YMMV as to whether you think the portions satisfy your appetites.

The debris both in the Spiderman gift shop exit, and on the sidewalk just outside WAS to be missed. Whatever they pay the cleanup crew is not enough.

 

[mtblujeans]

Thanks for the heads up....I'll have to keep DH away from the Butterbeer!

 

[Planogirl]

I wonder if the portions at Three Broomsticks have changed since we visited.... I got a whole half a chicken and full ear of corn with my order. Plus the potatoes. Maybe some of the other meals were small?

Of course we could have been full from the butterbeer. That stuff is rich!